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Keyframes – Blender 2.80 Fundamentals



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This tutorial is part of the Blender Fundamentals series, produced by Dillon Gu.

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Keyframes in Blender #

Keyframes are an essential concept in computer animation and are widely used in Blender to create and manage animations. They represent specific points in time when an object’s properties, such as location, rotation, or scale, change. By defining keyframes at different points in the timeline, you can create smooth and dynamic animations that interpolate between these values. This guide will provide an introduction to keyframes in Blender, explaining how to create, edit, and manage them in your animation projects.

Creating Keyframes #

To create a keyframe in Blender, follow these steps:

  1. Select the object you wish to animate in the 3D viewport.
  2. Move the timeline playhead to the desired frame where you want to set the keyframe.
  3. In the 3D viewport, change the object’s properties, such as location, rotation, or scale, to the desired values.
  4. Press the “I” key and choose the desired keying set from the pop-up menu (e.g., “LocRotScale” for location, rotation, and scale). Alternatively, you can use the “Insert Keyframe” menu in the properties panel of the specific attribute you want to keyframe.

Editing Keyframes #

Once you have created keyframes in Blender, you can edit them using various tools and editors:

  1. Timeline Editor: The Timeline Editor provides a simple and straightforward way to navigate, select, and delete keyframes. You can click on a keyframe to select it, and then press “G” to move it or “X” to delete it.
  2. Dope Sheet: The Dope Sheet offers a more comprehensive view of all the keyframes in your scene, allowing you to easily select, move, duplicate, or delete multiple keyframes at once. Additionally, you can use the Dope Sheet to edit keyframe interpolation settings and manage animation actions.
  3. Graph Editor: The Graph Editor is a powerful tool for editing keyframes in Blender, providing a visual representation of the animation curves for each animated property. You can use the Graph Editor to fine-tune the timing and easing of keyframes, create custom interpolation curves, and apply modifiers to create procedural animations.

Managing Keyframes #

When working with keyframes in Blender, it’s essential to keep your animations organized and efficient. Here are some tips for managing keyframes:

  1. Use Markers: Add markers to your timeline to indicate important events or key moments in your animation. Markers can help you navigate your timeline more efficiently and provide context for your keyframes.
  2. Organize Keyframes by Action: Use the Dope Sheet’s Action Editor mode to organize keyframes by action, which can be particularly useful when working with complex rigs or multiple animation layers.
  3. Adjust Keyframe Interpolation: Blender uses interpolation to calculate the object’s properties between keyframes automatically. You can adjust the interpolation type (e.g., Linear, Bezier, or Constant) in the Dope Sheet or Graph Editor to control the animation’s easing and create smoother or more stylized transitions.
  4. Use the Auto Keying Feature: Enable the Auto Keying feature to automatically create keyframes when you change an object’s properties in the 3D viewport. This can speed up the animation process and ensure consistent keyframing.

Keyframes are the foundation of animation in Blender, allowing you to create dynamic and engaging animations by defining changes in an object’s properties over time. By understanding the basics of creating, editing, and managing keyframes, you can bring your animations to life and create stunning visual experiences.

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